Form 1096, Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns
Form 1096 is the cover sheet that goes on top of paper information returns mailed to the IRS. Fill in the official IRS PDF below and download it.
This is the genuine IRS PDF, unmodified. Source: IRS official page.
What is 1096?
Form 1096, Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns, summarizes a batch of paper information returns: Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, and W-2G. It carries the filer’s identifying information, the number of forms in the batch, and the total amounts reported.
It is only used for paper filing. A separate Form 1096 is required for each type of form you transmit, so a business mailing both 1099-NEC and 1098 forms sends two transmittals. Electronic filers never use Form 1096 at all.
Who files 1096?
- Businesses mailing paper 1099s, 1098s, or other information returns to the IRS
- Small filers under the e-file threshold who choose to file on paper
- Payers submitting corrected paper information returns, which need their own 1096
- Anyone transmitting Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, or W-2G on paper
How to fill out 1096
- Enter the filer’s name, address, and contact details, plus either the EIN or SSN in the correct box.
- Fill in the total number of forms transmitted with this 1096 and the total federal income tax withheld across them.
- Enter the combined total of amounts reported on the attached forms in box 5.
- Check exactly one box in box 6 for the form type this transmittal covers, filing a separate 1096 per type.
- Download the PDF for your records, then submit the actual IRS copy on the official scannable form with the returns it summarizes.
Get 1096
IRS publishes 1096 as a flat PDF with no built-in form fields, so there is no quick-fill form here. Open it in the editor to type directly onto the pages, tick boxes and sign, or download the official blank and complete it in your PDF reader or by hand.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Form 1096 if I e-file my 1099s?
No. Form 1096 exists only for paper submissions. If you file through the IRIS or FIRE e-file systems, the transmittal information is part of the electronic filing.
Can I send different form types under one Form 1096?
No. Each form type needs its own transmittal. Group your 1099-NECs under one 1096, your 1098s under another, and so on.
Where do I mail Form 1096?
The mailing address depends on your state and is printed in the current Form 1096 instructions. Check irs.gov for the address that applies to you before mailing.